Whitfield Powers Men's Basketball to Victory

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – A thunderous dunk by Willie Whitfield at the 1:52 mark, followed by a block a minute later, helped power the Barry University men’s basketball team to a 62-58 victory over Florida Tech in Sunshine State Conference action Wednesday night at the Health and Sports Center.

The game remained close throughout the entire game, as Florida Tech built a lead of seven points at the 12:10 mark in the first half on a layup by Demtrius Harvey.

Barry (7-11, 2-6 SSC) quickly turned the game around, as over the next five minutes, the Bucs came back to tie the game at 20 on a layup by Erick Nsangou.

The Bucs kept the momentum going from a one-point halftime lead, as they boosted the lead to nine just three minutes into the second half after Whitfiled muscled inside for a layup.

The Panthers (10-9, 2-6 SSC) tied the game up for the seventh time at the 2:24 mark after Donovan Woodson laid in a nice assist from Demitrius Harvey.

Whitfield then countered with his huge dunk thirty seconds later off a nice assist by Nsangou.

A pair of free throws by Zach Trapp and another free throw by Jamaal Madyun expanded the Bucs’ lead to four which would decide the final margin of victory at 62-58.

Nsangou from the guard position recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Whitfield added 15 points and eight rebounds. Karega Tucker also scored in double-figures, as he added 13.

The Bucs will hit the road for another SSC game on Saturday at Saint Leo with gametime set for 4 p.m.

Saint Leo escaped the Health and Sports Center back on Dec., 31, as Jordan Prais hit the game-winning shot as time expired to give the Lions the one-point win.